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"When I call to remembrance the unfeigned faith that is in
thee, which dwelt first in thy grandmother Lois, and thy mother Eunice; and I am persuaded that in thee also."
II Tim. 1:5
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| Kim and the Rom children in the village |
Missionary
Mom: Women Are Women Last month my husband and I traveled to Romania
for our daughter’s wedding. This was our third trip to Romania and we were now more familiar with
the people Kim ministers to and with. Wednesday’s trip out to the Rom village would be different
though. It would be Kim’s last official visit as a missionary and leader of the women’s and
children’s ministries. We decided to drive into the village as far as the rough and rutted roads
would allow because we were running late, rain clouds were building and we were carrying a number of heavier items.
As soon as Kim’s jeep came around the corner of the village a group of gypsy children playing along side of the
road began to jump up and down, clapping their hands. My heart contracted…how would she ever be
able to leave them? In the little time that I had been here, I had also come to love and see the deep needs
of these children. We stopped and began to unload our parcels with plenty of volunteers, all the while
Kim explaining in Romanian that, “no, this was not Saturday, not time for children’s class, but time for the Ladies
Bible Study”. We made our way to the new little church building that has been built since Kim arrived
five years ago. The ladies were waiting for us, smiles on their faces; after all women are women all over
the world and this young woman was about to be married. It was obvious that they were as excited as we
were about the happy event, even though they would not be able to attend because of distance and lack of transportation.
They questioned her excitedly about the details. Bible Study began and because only the pastor’s
wife has recently learned to read, they spend time memorizing the scriptures. They had been working on
Psalm 23, “so they can teach it to their children”, Kim said. They did wonderfully as far as
I could tell…in Romanian of course. They each have a cassette player at home with the Bible on tape and they listen
to it over and over.
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| Soara Christina is in pink, with her son Pastor Nastase, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren |
Then it was time
for a season of prayer. The group stood and each woman took a turn pouring her heart out to the Lord in thanksgiving, praise
and finally requests for help, wisdom and strength. I am always humbled to hear them pray.
Kim’s last Bible Study with them was from Psalm 139 “where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall
I flee from your presence?...” truths these ladies would live by. As the meeting
began to close, I could tell that the conversation had turned back to the wedding and Kim’s future. From
the giggles and shy laughs I surmised we were now talking about future babies. Soara (Sister) Christina
looked me straight in the eyes and said, “when Sister Kim needs help, I will look after her babies. I
will watch them with the same eyes and love that I watched my own children and grandchildren” My
eyes filled with tears as Kim translated. I knew by the expression on her face and the gestures of her
hands that the offer was sincere and filled with love. After all, women are women all over the world, and
that dear Christian grandmother knew exactly what I was thinking. Websites I have found helpful:
www.womenoftheharvest.com A bi-monthly newsletter written by women on the mission field.
www.womenoftheharvest.com/legacy A supplement written especially for parents and families of
cross-cultural missionaries
www.pomnet.org National Network of Parents of Missionaries (NNPOM) They have a newsletter
as well as many links to resources, including a blog
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